Our feminine figure that we are talking about today is a character with great significance in the eyes of the Almighty. God answered her plea, responded to her supplication, and accepted her vow. Not only that, but He immortalised her memory and included her story in His noble book, the Quran, recited until the Day of Judgment. What's more, a Soorah in the Quran is named after her, narrating the details of her story. This Soorah is called ‘Al Imran’ which refers to the family of Imran, the noble lady whom we don't know much about (Hannah, the daughter of Faqud), the mother of Mary (Maryam), the daughter of Imran, and the grandmother of the Prophet of Allah, Jesus, peace be upon him.
Lady Hannah, the daughter of Faqud, was a devout, obedient believer. She was the wife of the righteous and noble man, our master Imran, who was a leader among the scholars of the People of Israel and a guide in their prayers.
The honorable Lady Hannah made supplication her path to relieve sorrow and achieve wishes, and why not? Supplication is one of the most important means of relief that Allah has ordained for Muslims among acts of worship and obedience.
The divine selection of this noble family was met with acceptance by its members. The father, Imran, was a revered scholar and devout worshipper who led the prayers of the People of Israel in his time, steadfast on the truth when many among the People of Israel faltered. The mother, Hannah, was a devout and obedient worshipper who loved her husband and supported him in worshiping Allah. Both of them stood firm in a time when most around them, men and women alike, were corrupt. Allah was pleased with them, loved them, and chose them among all people, as He says in His noble book: (Truly Allah chose Adam and Noah and the descendants of Abraham and of 'Imran above all mankind) –Surah – Ali ‘Imran: 33
However, there was one thing that preoccupied Lady Hannah's mind and heart: to bear a righteous child for Imran, her husband, who would succeed him in leading the People of Israel, as Imran was from the lineage of our master Solomon, peace be upon him.
The husband and wife remained steadfast in faith and patience, obedient to Allah, always wishing to be blessed with righteous offspring, despite their advancing age. All of this was with great contentment and hope in Allah, the Almighty.
Lady Hannah did not allow despair to overshadow her. She dispelled despair from herself, supplicated to the Great Creator, implored her Lord, and persisted. She knocked on one of the doors of relief that never closes, the door of supplication. She continued to pray to Allah, never giving up hope.
She returned home filled with joy and happiness, knowing that Allah would not forsake her, for He had promised: (Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you) – Surah Ghafir: 60
And He is also the One who said (Or ˹ask them,˺ “Who responds to the distressed when they cry to Him) – Surah An-Naml:62
Not a day or two passed before Allah's great miracle occurred, and Lady Hannah felt that Allah had bestowed His grace upon her and answered her prayers. The surprise came when Allah answered her supplication, and the good news reached her. She rejoiced like never before and went to inform her husband, Imran, who initially did not believe, considering their old age. Yet, he knew that Allah is capable of everything and deserving of His response.
The believing couple continued to thank Allah for His miracle day and night, praying for their awaited child's well-being and blessings.
Months passed swiftly, and the time for Lady Hannah's delivery drew near. Hannah felt utmost gratitude for what her Lord had done for her. She made an intention and pledged a vow to herself, saying: “My Lord! I dedicate what is in my womb entirely to Your service,1 so accept it from me. You ˹alone˺ are truly the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” Surah Ali ‘Imran: 35
Lady Hannah pledged to dedicate her awaited child, after many years of longing, to the service of the place of worship of Allah alone, to devote himself to worshiping his Lord alone without any partner and to serve His house and those who worship and prostrate.
Hannah informed her husband, Imran, of her intention and vow. His face lit up with joy, and he turned his prayers to the heavens, thanking Allah for guiding his wife to this thinking and for His blessing upon him after reaching old age and becoming an elder.
Days passed, and just before Lady Hannah's delivery date, Imran fell seriously ill. The believers among the People of Israel, though few in number, were saddened by Imran's illness. They prayed to Allah to swiftly heal him so he could return to pray with them. However, Allah's will was for Imran to pass away before his wife gave birth. Thus, it was destined that Lady Hannah's child would be born orphaned, deprived of the father's affection.
Like the believing, satisfied, and submissive Lady Hannah, who accepted Allah's well and fate, she neither complained nor objected. She did only what pleased Allah.
The time for delivery arrived, and the surprise came: the newborn was a girl. Lady Hannah had hoped for a son to fulfill her vow, as she had promised to dedicate him to the service of the place of worship of Allah. Despite this, Hannah decided to fulfill her vow to Allah and supplicated, saying:
(My Lord! I have given birth to a girl,”—and Allah fully knew what she had delivered—“and the male is not like the female.1 I have named her Mary, and I seek Your protection for her and her offspring from Satan, the accursed.) - Surah Ali ‘Imran: 36
Her Lord accepted her supplication, saying: (So her Lord accepted her graciously and blessed her with a pleasant upbringing—entrusting her to the care of Zachariah.) Surah Ali ‘Imran: 37.
Once the mother had recovered from the pains of childbirth and its effects, and had breastfed her beautiful daughter a few times, she wrapped her in a piece of cloth and took her to the Holy House, placing her before the scholars to seek their opinion regarding her vow.
When the scholars saw this little baby, they were amazed by her beauty, grace, and the light radiating from her face. Their hearts inclined towards her, and they competed to take care of her, especially since she was from the lineage of Imran, the best of their scholars and the leader of their prayers. It is likely that the faithful Lady Hannah was present near her daughter, whom she named Maryam, meaning "the worshipper," and dedicated her to Allah and His service.
Although this virtuous lady was deprived of childbirth for a long period of her life, and she could have retreated and made excuses to abandon her vow of serving her daughter, she remained steadfast in her principles. She prioritised the satisfaction of Allah and became a symbol of steadfastness in principles and not breaking promises or vows.
